VTM shares spoils with GU
19 Jan 2025
The FNB Premiership game that was played at the VTM Arena on Saturday afternoon saw VTM Football Club play to a one-all goal draw with Gaborone United (GU).
Bafana ba Dijabane, as VTM is affectionately called, started the first half by closing all the gaps that GU could use to contain and frustrate their plan to score an early goal.
The Money Machine struggled to find cohesion in the first half even though they created several goal chances, which were however wasted.
Ryan Moir gave VTM the lead in first half stoppage time, but GU talisman levelled matters in the 54th minute.
VTM head coach, Reuben Njavera said they knew that playing against a big team like GU would not be easy and he had to prepare his charges well to close all the gaps their opponent may would want to use to bury them.
He said they knew that GU were fond of scoring in the first minutes of the game, as such they came up with a counter strategy to hold them back until they settled, while attacking them at the same time.
Coach Njavera said he was happy that they scored first in the first half, which gave VTM players the much needed confidence.
He commended his young squad for playing their hearts out to solidify their status in the FNB Premiership.
He said for the 20-year-old Ryan Moir to score a superb goal against one of the biggest teams in the league showed that he was building a formidable team to reckon with in the next few years.
Coach Njavera said his team had no known big names within it and he was happy with the his boys’ output on the field.
Gaborone United head coach, Khalid Niyonzima said his players did not come to the party as expected and a draw was not enough for them as he wanted three points.
He said they were not supposed to be losing points easily if they were to fight for the championship.
Coach Niyonzima said the players looked a bit heavy in the first half and he had to bring in fresh legs, which saw the team equalise a few minutes into the second half through Thatayaone Kgamanyane.
He said he expected them to score the second goal, which never came even though they had several opportunities in the second half, which could have given them the needed lead.
He added that his players had to improve their attitude towards every game they played because it determined the outcome.
Coach Niyonzima admitted that they had to correct their mistakes to make sure they bring back their winning mentality and recover their form. ENDS
Source : BOPA
Author : Booster Mogapi
Location : Gamononyane
Event : Football match
Date : 19 Jan 2025